Like the Velveteen Rabbit was made real by the boy's love, "Friend" is very much a part of our family. You may wonder who "Friend" is. He is a very worn, very loved, stuffed giraffe that belongs to my almost 6-year-old son. We have had him since my son was an infant and he has always slept in bed with my son. He used to be vibrant shades of yellow and orange, but now he only has a glimmer of pale yellow peeking through the grey worn fur. I think I love that animal as much as my son does. He is very real here in our home. When "Friend" is on an adventure (or shall we say misplaced), search parties are sent out. I have fabricated many a story about what "Freind" is doing, from hiding in the freezer and eating all our ice cream (and getting a tummy ache) to going out dancing with his friends. Each and every one of us does our part to locate him, and when we do find him, there is a celebration. I did have a spare one, which my son found tucked in the closet a few years ago, which he promptly pulled out and named "Ellie" ("Friend's" daddy). Not that I could ever replace "Friend" or come close to replicating him. His antlers are worn and his ears are coming undone. The stuffing is almost non-existant. He has endured trips, sickness, surgery, trips to the hospital and overnights away from Mommy. I wonder when the day comes that "Friend" is put away if I will shed a tear. My sweet boy is growing and there will be a day when friend is not tucked in besides him. Someday, although, Friend shall never be tossed away like the Velveteen Rabbit, I have visions of "Friend" towering overhead and snacking on leaves from the tops of trees like the Rabbit was able to hop through the fields and be a real bunny. "Friend" will always be real to my son (and to me too.)